Padded pants and/or shorts

ABSTRACT

Pants may comprise an outer layer of material, an inner layer of material, and a pad. The outer layer of material may define an outside of the pants. The inner layer of material may be attached to the outer layer of material and may define an inside of the pants. The pad may be at a crotch area of the pants. The pad may be attached to the inner layer of material and not attached to the outer layer of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective rear view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective front inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective rear inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective front view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective rear view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a perspective side view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective front inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective rear inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective front view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B is a perspective rear view of a pair of padded shorts accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective front inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective rear inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C is a perspective rear inside view of a pair of padded shortsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example venting feature of the paddedshorts, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

Several embodiments of padded shorts including crotch padding aredescribed herein. Padded shorts may have crotch padding (e.g., a chamoispad). In some embodiments, such as cycling shorts, this padding mayprovide comfort and protection for a cyclist at the areas of contactbetween the cyclist and a bicycle seat. Padded shorts described hereinmay be designed to position the padding as close to the body as possibleand to minimize padding movement relative to the wearer's body While thepadded shorts described herein may be used to provide padding against abicycle seat, they may also be configured so that they are useful forsports including cycling (e.g. combination classes, triathlons), and/orother athletic activities (e.g., horseback riding). In addition, whileshorts are described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will seethat any length of leg covering may be utilized, including capri pantsor full length pants.

In an embodiment, the padded shorts may include an inner layer. In anembodiment, this inner layer may be attached to the padding to keep thepadding in place high and close to the wearer's body. The padding may beattached: to the inside (e.g., toward the body) of the inner layer (seee.g., FIG. 7B), to the outside (e.g., away from the body) of the innerlayer (see e.g., FIG. 7A), or to both the inside and outside of theinner layer. In an embodiment, the padding may not be attached to anouter layer of the shorts. As a result, the padding and paddingstitching may be invisible from the outside. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will see that additional other layers in between the inner layerand outer layer of the shorts may be included in other embodiments. Inthese embodiments, the padding may be attached to only the inner layeror inner layers of the shorts.

In an embodiment, the outer layer of the shorts may include fabricsitting a small amount (e.g., any amount such as ½ inch, between 1/16 to1 inch) away from the inner layer creating a vent between the outerlayer and the inner layer. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example ventingfeature of the padded shorts, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A is acutaway view of the shorts 100 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The inside layer 710 and outside layer 720 may be separatedfrom one another by a vent 730, and the padding 200 may be attached tothe inside layer 710 on a side facing the outside layer 720 so that thepadding 200 is disposed inside the vent 730. FIG. 7B is a cutaway viewof another embodiment of the shorts 100, wherein the padding 200 may beattached to the inside layer 710 on a side opposite the side facing theoutside layer 720 so that the padding 200 is disposed against a wearer'sbody when the shorts 200 are worn. In some embodiments, the vent may actas a tunnel, allowing air to flow between the outer layer of the shortsand the inner layer of the shorts and/or the outer portion of thepadding.

In some embodiments, due to features of the shorts described herein, thepadding 200 may stretch and stay with the wearer's body, rather thanwith the outer layer 720 of the shorts. This may reduce the chances ofthe padding moving out of place and potentially creating chaffing andhot spots as a result. Furthermore, due to features of the shortsdescribed herein air may flow between the inside layer 710 and outsidelayer 720, which may encourage drying of the material to enhance wearercomfort.

In some embodiments, due to features of the shorts described herein, theshorts may not roll or glide up on the body of the wearer, which mayremove the need for gripper elastic or some other fabric or mechanism tostop rolling and gliding. In addition, in some embodiments, the shortsdescribed herein may minimize visible pad bulging, irregular padcompression, or discomfort from out of place padding, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the shorts described herein may camouflagethe padding and smooth the lines of the body and padding that mightotherwise create bulges. For example, the padding may be difficult orimpossible to see from the outside when the shorts are being worn insome embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of a pair of shorts 100, and FIG. 1Bis a perspective rear view of the pair of shorts 100, according to anembodiment of the invention. The shorts 100 may include front panel(s)110 and rear panel(s) 120. Each front panel 110 and rear panel 120 maybe made of a double layer of fabric (e.g., compression fabric such as aSensitive Plus™ bonded perforated layer on the outside and a SensitivePlus Unito™ bonded layer on the inside, although other materials may bepossible). A waistband 130 may be made of similar material or differentmaterial in some embodiments (e.g., a Warpstreme™ sensitive sculptmaterial, although other materials may be possible). Seams of the shorts100 may be stitched and/or piping may be utilized. For example, piping140 may be provided at various locations on the outside of the shorts100 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. One or more piping 140 styles may bepresent, such as perforated JRC reflective piping and/or 9 mm Wing MeshStretch piping, for example, although other pipings may be possible. Alogo 150 or other design may be placed on the shorts 100. The shorts 100illustrated in FIG. 1A have a 6.5 inch inseam and a 3 inch widewaistband, although those of ordinary skill in the relevant art willappreciate that many other measurements may be possible. For example,other embodiments may have different inseam (e.g., from 3 inches to 10inches) and waistband measurements). The waistband 130 of the shorts 100may be sized in a variety of sizes, for example, common numerical waistsizes or S, M, L, XL, etc. sizing may be used. Other dimensions of theshorts (e.g., hip, leg opening, etc.) may vary accordingly with waistsize in some embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective front inside view of the pair of padded shorts100, and FIG. 2B is a perspective rear inside view of the pair ofcycling shorts 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. Padding200 may be sewn or attached to the inside layer of the front panel 110and/or rear panel 120. Padding 200 may be made of, for example, chamois,although other materials may also be used. For example, the chamois maycomprise a combination of polyester and elastin in some embodiments(e.g., a polyester pad with an 80% polyester/20% elastin lining). Insome embodiments, the padding 200 may have anti-stink features which maybe provided by adding material to the chamois that reduces or masksodors. For example, an anti-stink chamois may comprise multi-densityregular foam and a fabric lining containing X-Static™, XT-2™, silverthread (e.g., silver plated or silver fiber yarn), silver wash, zinc,copper, or a combination thereof, or any other anti-stink material. Insome embodiments, the padding 200 may be perforated, for example toprovide ventilation and/or reduce weight. A single pad 200 may be used,or separate pads 200 for the front panel 110 and rear panel 120 may beused. In addition, multiple pads 200 may be sewn or otherwise attachedtogether to make up front panel 110 and rear panel 120. The size of thefront panel 110 and rear panel may be in multiple configurations otherthan the configuration shown in the figures. As discussed above, theinner layers of the panels 110 and 120 may have shorter inseams than theouter layers (e.g., 0.5 inches shorter or 6 inches in this example,although any other measurement may be used). The shorter inner inseammay allow the padding 200 to sit close to the wearer's body. The insideand outside layers of the panels 110 and 120 may be attached to oneanother at the hem, princess seam, or waistband seam, or any combinationthereof. The inside and outside layers of the panels 110 and 120 or mayalso be detached from one another at the inseam.

FIG. 3A is a perspective front view of shorts 300, FIG. 3B is aperspective rear view of shorts 300, and FIG. 3C is a perspective sideview of shorts 300, according to another embodiment of the invention.Like the embodiment of the shorts 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the shorts 300of FIG. 3 may include a front panel 310 and rear panel 320. Each of thefront panel 310 and rear panel 320 may be made of a double layer offabric (e.g., an inner and outer Interlock power luxtreme layer,although other materials may be possible). A waistband 330 may be madeof different material or similar material in some embodiments (e.g.,Interlock power luxtreme material, although other materials may bepossible). A pocket 335, which may include a zipper or other closuremechanism in some embodiments, may be disposed in the waistband 330. Ingeneral, seams of the shorts 300 may be stitched and/or piping may beused. For example, piping 340 may be provided at various locations onthe outside of the shorts 300, such as at seams in the shorts 300fabric. One or more piping 140 styles may be present, such as perforatedJRC reflective piping and/or 9 mm Wing Mesh Stretch piping for example,although other types of piping may be used. A logo 350 or other designmay be placed on the shorts 300. As shown in FIG. 3C, a mesh layer 390may be overlaid on the body fabric of the shorts 300 in some locations(e.g., on the side of the shorts 300 in this example). The shorts 300 ofthis example have a 6.5 inch inseam and a 4 inch wide waistband,although as discussed above those of ordinary skill in the relevant artwill appreciate that many other measurements may be possible. Thewaistband 130 of the shorts 300 may be sized in a variety of sizes, forexample, common numerical waist sizes or S, M, L, XL, etc. sizing may beused. Other dimensions of the shorts (e.g., hip, leg opening, etc.) mayvary accordingly with waist size in some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective front and rear inside views of theshorts 300, according to an embodiment of the invention. Similar to theshorts 100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, padding 200 may be sewn orattached to the inside layer of the front panel 310 and rear panel 320.A single pad 300 may be used, or separate pads 400 for the front panel310 and rear panel 320 may be used. In addition, multiple pads 400 maybe sewn or otherwise attached together to make up front panel 310 andrear panel 320. The size of the front panel 310 and rear panel may be inmultiple configurations other than the configuration shown in thefigures. As discussed above, the inner layers of the panels 310 and 320may have shorter inseams than the outer layers (e.g., 0.5 inches shorteror 6 inches in this example, although many other measurements may beused). The shorter inner inseam may allow the chamois pad 400 to sitclose to the wearer's body. The inside and outside layers of the panels310 and 320 may be attached to one another at the hem, princess seam, orwaistband seam, or any combination thereof. In addition, the inside andoutside layers of panels 310 and 320 may also be detached from oneanother at the inseam.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the shorts may also include a liner 400 which mayattach to the shorts 300 at the waistband, princess seams, or bottomhem, or any combination thereof, for example. The liner 400 may sitcloser to the wearer's body (e.g., by 0.5 inches, although many othermeasurements may also be used) than the outside of the shorts 300 toencourage airflow. The liner 400 may sit closer to the wearer's body atrise seams of the shorts 300. The liner may comprise, for example, anywoven, warp knit, or weft knit fabrics made from nylon (polyamide),aramid, polyester, polypropylene, spandex, cotton, viscose, rayon, or ablend thereof.

FIG. 5A is a perspective front view of shorts 500, and FIG. 5B is aperspective rear view of shorts 500, according to another embodiment ofthe invention. Like the shorts 100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, theshorts 500 of FIG. 5 may include a front panel 510 and rear panel 520.Each of the front panel 510 and rear panel 520 may be made of a doublelayer of fabric (e.g., an inner and outer Interlock power luxtremelayer, although other materials may be possible). A waistband 530 may bemade of different material or similar material in some embodiments(e.g., Interlock power luxtreme material, although other materials maybe possible). In general, seams of the shorts 500 may be stitched and/orpiping may be used. For example, piping 540 may be provided at variouslocations on the outside of the shorts 500, for example at seams in theshorts 500 fabric. One or more piping styles may be present, such asperforated JRC reflective piping and/or 9 mm Wing Mesh Stretch piping,although other piping may be used in some embodiments. A logo 550 orother design may be placed on the shorts 500. The shorts 500 of thisexample have a 5 inch inseam and a 4 inch wide waistband, although thoseof ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that many othermeasurements may be possible. The waistband 530 of the shorts 500 may besized in a variety of sizes, for example, common numerical waist sizesor S, M, L, XL, etc. sizing may be used. Other dimensions of the shorts(e.g., hip, leg opening, etc.) may vary accordingly with waist size insome embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6C are perspective front inside views of the pair of shorts500, and FIG. 6B is a perspective rear inside view of the pair of shorts500, according to an embodiment of the invention. A pad 600 made ofchamois and/or rubber or other padding may be sewn or attached to theinside layer of the front panel 510 and rear panel 520. A single pad 600may be used, or separate pads 600 for the front panel 510 and rear panel520 may be used. In addition, multiple pads 600 may be sewn or otherwiseattached together to make up front panel 510 and rear panel 520. Thesize of the front panel 510 and rear panel 520 may be in multipleconfigurations other than the configuration shown. For example, the rearpanel 520 may have an elastic 8 mm flex rubber pad. The outer layers ofthe panels 510 and 520 may sit lower than the inner layers (e.g., by 0.5inches, although many other measurements may also be used) to allowairflow between the pad 600 and shorts 500 exterior. The shorter innerinseam may allow the pad 600 to sit close to the wearer's body. Theinside and outside layers of the panels 510 and 520 may be attached toone another at the hem, princess seam, or waistband seam, or anycombination thereof. In addition, the inside and outside layers of thepanels 510 and 520 may be detached from one another at the inseam. Asshown in FIG. 6C, the shorts 500 may also include a liner 660 which mayattach to the shorts 500 at the waistband, princess seams, or bottomhem, or any combination thereof, for example. The liner 660 may sitcloser to the wearer's body (e.g., by 0.5 inches, although many othermeasurements may be used) than the outside of the shorts 500 toencourage airflow. The liner 660 may sit closer to the wearer's body atrise seams of the shorts 500.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. For example, cyclingpants, or shorts or pants for different activities, may incorporate someor all of the features described above. Also, various other materialsmay be used in place of those listed, seams may be bonded rather thansewn, etc.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlightthe functionality and advantages are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed methodology and system are each sufficientlyflexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways otherthan that shown.

Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification,claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. alsosignify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification,claims and drawings.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112(f). Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “meansfor” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

What is claimed is:
 1. Pants comprising: an outer layer of materialdefining an outside of the pants; an inner layer of material attached tothe outer layer of material and defining an inside of the pants; andpadding at a crotch area of the pants attached to the inner layer ofmaterial and not attached to the outer layer of material.
 2. The pantsof claim 1, wherein the padding is attached to an inner portion of theinner layer of material.
 3. The pants of claim 1, wherein the padding isattached to an outer portion of the inner layer of material.
 4. Thepants of claim 1, wherein the padding is attached to an inner portion ofthe inner layer of material and to an outer portion of the inner layerof material.
 5. The pants of claim 1, wherein the padding is a chamoispad, a rubber pad, or a combination thereof.
 6. The pants of claim 1,wherein a vent is created between the inner layer and the outer layer.7. The pants of claim 1, wherein the outer layer and inner layer are notattached at an inseam of the pants.
 8. The pants of claim 1, wherein aninseam of the inner layer is shorter than an inseam of the outer layer.9. The pants of claim 1, wherein the outer layer of material, the innerlayer of material, or the pad, or any combination thereof, is comprisedof a material configured to reduce odor, mask odor, or both.
 10. Thepants of claim 1, wherein the pants are capri pants or shorts.
 11. Thepants of claim 1, wherein the pants are cycling pants or cycling shorts.